Wrist watch strap, band, or bracelet



March 3, 1936. K. H. BAKER WRIST WATCH STRAP, BAND, OR BRACELET Filed March 17, 1934 2 Sheets-Sheet l Marh 3, 1936. Y K H, BAKER 2,032,557

WRIST WATCH STRAP, BAND, OR BRACELET Filed March 17, 1934 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 a, A "'1 i4 i z 2 Patented Mar. 3, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE WRIST WATCH STRAP, BAND, OR BRACELET Kenneth H. Baker, Attleboro Falls, Mass., as-

signor to Harold E. Sweet, Attleboro, Mass, doing business as R. F. Simmons Company, At-

tleboro, Mass.

Application March 17, 1934, Serial No. 716,088

6 Claims.

This invention relates to wrist-watch straps,

bands and bracelets and particularly to a talontype bracelet comprising opposite arcuatelyshaped arms hingedly connected to the sides of the watch and resiliently operated to clasp around the wrist of the wearer.

One object of the invention is to provide an improved means for hinging the arcuate arms or talons of the bracelet to the sides of the watchcase with the hinges embodying resilient means for swinging the arms into closed relationship.

Another object of the invention is to provide hinging means of the type indicated which may be used with different types of wrist-watches having wire bails, lugs with spring-pins or other means on the watch-case for attaching the bracelet thereto.

Another object of the invention is to provide a hinge-device of the type indicated which is compact in size, neat and finished in appearance, and efficient in use for the purpose specified.

Another object of the invention is to provide a hinge-device of the type indicated having its mechanical elements entirely enclosed and concealed from view.

Another object of the invention is to provide a hinge-device of the type indicated which is simple in construction, convenient for application to the watch-case, and proof against derangement or getting out of order.

Further objects of the invention are set forth in the following specification which describes the device as embodied in several different forms of construction as illustrated by the accompanying drawings. In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a perspective View showing a ladies wrist-watch of conventional type with springarms or talons connected to its sides by the present improved hinge-device Fig. 2 is an edge view of the watch and talon bracelet illustrating the manner in which the arms or talons may be swung into open position in placing the bracelet on and removing it from the wrist;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged partial plan View of the watch showing a portion of one of the talons or arms connected thereto by the present improved hinge-device;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged part-sectional detailed view of the improved hinge-device, taken on line 4-4 of Fig. 3, illustrating the arm or talon in position as clasped about the wrist and also indicating its furthermost closed position;

Fig. 5 is a similar view showing the arm or talon swung back on its hinge;

Fig. 6 is a transverse sectional View of the hingejoint taken on line 6-6 of Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is a composite perspective view of the several parts of the hinge-joint shown in disconnected relationship;

Fig. 8 is an edge view of a portion of a watchcase showing the present improved hinge-joint connected to a bearing member formed integral with the case;

Fig. 9 is a part-sectional plan view of the same 10 shown without the cover member to illustrate the interior parts;

Fig. 10 is a partial plan view of a gentlemens wrist-watch showing a modified form of the hinge-device for attaching the arm or talon of the bracelet thereto;

Fig. 11 is an edge view of the watch-case showing the bracelet arm or talon in section on the line H-|l of Fig. 10;

Fig. 12 is a similar part-sectional view showing the talon or arm swung back on its hinge; Fig. 13 is a composite perspective view of the parts of the device constructed in accordance with the showing in Figs. 10 to 12, inclusive, and illustrating the elements in disassembled relationhip;

Fig. 14 is a plan view of the under side of a watch-case showing a slightly modified form of the hinge-joint which is illustrated in section;

Fig. 15 is a transverse sectional view of this latter form of hinge-joint and talon taken on line l5--I5 of Fig. 14; and Fig. 16 is a detailed perspective view of the abutment member which forms a bearing for the spring on the talon.

Various types of straps, bands, linkages and bracelets are used with wrist-watches and most of these require some form of clasp 0r buckle for connecting their ends and adjusting them in length to fit the wrist of the wearer. The pres- 40 ent invention contemplates the use of a two-part strap, band or bracelet having opposite arcuately-shaped arms or talons hinged to the sides of the watch-case and resiliently-operated to adapt them to clasp around the Wrist; thereby eliminating the use of buckles, mechanical clasp-s, extension-devices or the like which are apt to get out of order and become worn and broken in use. Moreover, thepresent talon type of bracelet provides for greater ease and convenience in placing the watch on and removing it from the wrist while being adapted to fit wrists of varying size without requiring manual adjustment.

, Referring to the present drawings, Fig. 1 represents a. ladies wrist-watch 2 having lugs 3 at its sides or ends connected by a wire rod 4, see Fig. 3, for attaching different types of bracelets thereto. The connecting means for the bracelet may take other forms, in certain instances a telescopic spring-pin being used with its ends engaging holes in the lugs 3. In another form of construction the watch-case may be provided with Wire loops on its sides for connection with the bracelet. With any such attaching means on the watch-case 2 the present improved hinge-joint for connection therewith is embodied in a bearing member 5 constructed as next described.

Referring particularly to Figs. 5 and 7, in a preferred form of construction of the device as herein shown, the bearing member or hingemounting 5 is constituted with a laminated topplate formed of two rectangular strips of metal 6 and I soldered or otherwise suitably secured together. The flat strip 6 is provided on one side with a projecting ear or tab bent around to form a cylindrical bearing I for receiving a hinge-pin I I to which the arm or talon 20 is pivoted in the manner as later explained.

Soldered or otherwise suitably secured to the under side of the plate 6 is a cylindrical sleeve I5. The sleeve I is split longitudinally to adapt it to be engaged around the wire ball or the spring-pin connected to the watch-case, after which its sides may be sprung together with a pair of pliers. As shown most clearly in Figs. 4 and 5; the plates 6 and I to which the sleeve I5 is secured are proportioned to adapt their edges to abut the side of the watch-case 2 to hold the hinge-member from rocking or turning on the pin or bail 4. Through this arrangement a neat joinder of the hinge-member with the watchcase is accomplished without unsightly projections or open seams.

The upper plate I of the hinge-member 5 is provided on one side with a projecting lug or abutment I! which curves upwardly to partially surround the bearing I0 on the plate 6. The lug II increases in thickness toward its outer end and terminates in a relatively wide flat bearing surface I8 used for a purpose as later explained.

The bracelet arms or talons 20 may be of any preferred form, being herein shown as constructed from sheet-metal stamped or blanked out in strips and bent or folded double in dies. Referring to Figs. 4, 6 and '7, each talon 20 comprises overlying inner and outer strips 2| and 22 of tapering outline disposed in closely abutting relationship throughout the greater part of their length. Toward their wider ends the two strips 2| and 22 are spaced apart at an increasing distance to form inner and outer walls which are connected by tapering side walls 23. At this end of the arm 20 the inner wall 2| is cut away to form an opening 24 and the marginal portions of the side walls 23 are bent or folded inwardly to provide longitudinally-extending flanges 25, see Figs. 6 and 7.

Soldered to the inner surfaces of the side walls 23 are strips 28 of the same general contour as the side walls. Spaces are provided between the lateral edges of the strips 28 and the inner sides of the flanges 25 on the side walls 23 of the arm 20 to form guideways 29 for receiving the latezal fins or splines 3| on the edges of a cover member 30 which is slid into place to cover the opening 24. The cover member 30, shown in detail in Fig. 7, is constituted by .a strip of sheetmeta1 of the same contour as the end of the talon or arm 20 with its lateral edges formed with the splines or runners 3| above mentioned.

The outer wall 22 of the talon or arm 20 projects forwardly beyond the ends of the side walls 23 and is cut away at 33 to provide ears or tabs 34 at either side. At the inner end of the opening 33 is a narrower slot or opening 35 designed for a purpose as later explained. Secured to the inner face of the outer wall 22 of the arm 20 by any suitable means, such as a rivet 38 shown in Figs. 4 and 5, is a bow-shaped leaf-spring 40. One end of the spring 40 extends to a point beyond the slotted opening 35, while its opposite end is anchored between the converging outer and inner walls 2| and 22 of the arm 20. For covering and concealing the outer swaged head of the rivet 38, whereby to enhance the finished appearance of the article, a strip 4| is applied to the outer wall 22. The strip 4| may be constructed from sheet-metal with a contour of ornamental and harmonizing design and soldered to the outer surface of the wall 22 of the talon. The arm or talon 2.0 is assembled on the hinge-element or bearing member 5 in the manner as next explained.

The spring 40 is first secured in place within the talon or arm 20 with its free end overhanging the slotted opening 35 in the wall 22. The hingepin II is inserted in the bearing loop I0 of the hinge-member 5 with its ends projecting outwardly therefrom. The hinge-member 5 is then placed between the sides 23 of the arm 20 with the hinge-pin II resting upon the ears 34 and. its lug or abutment I'I positioned within the opening 35 of the .wall 22 beneath the end of the spring 40. To attach the hinge-member 5 to the arm 2|! the ears 34 on the latter are bent or curled around to enclose the projecting ends of the pin II in the manner indicated by the dash lines in Fig. '7, whereby to provide for a permanent pivotal connection between the parts. To retain the pin I I in place in its bearings while concealing its ends the sides 23 of the talon 20 may be formed with extensions 42 overlying the ends of the pin. After the parts have been assembled in the manner as above explained the cover member 30 is applied to position by sliding it into the guideways 29 on the talon-arm 20.

With the parts connected in the manner as above explained a complete unit is provided which may be readily applied to the watch-case in a most convenient manner. In attaching the talon unit to the Watch-case 2, it is only necessary to spring the slittedor split sleeve I5 over the bail 4 and then close it together by compressing it therearound in the manner as before explained.

With both hinge-joints 5 attached to the sides of the watch in the manner as above explained the curved arms or talons 20 are controlled by their springs 40 to swing them toward each other into closed relationship; it being understood that each spring bears resiliently against the relatively fixed abutment I l of the member 5 to cause it to swing the arm or talon inwardly. The spring 40 has a tendency to straighten out to assume a position underlying the wall 22 of the arm 20 and in so doing swings the arm inwardly on its pivot I I. The two arms 20 may be further closed together by swinging them inwardly with the hinge-members 5 rocking on the bail 4 on the watch-case in the manner as indicated by the dash lines in Fig. 4; in which case the sides of the cover members 30 will strike against the watch-case to limit the movement of the arms in this direction.

To apply the bracelet to the wrist the arms 20 are swung back into the position illustrated by the dash lines in Fig. 2 and upon their release they will be closed together to snugly clasp around the wrist with their ends in somewhat overlapped relationship, depending upon the size of the wrist.

Figs. 8 and 9 illustrate a modification in the form of construction of the invention wherein the hinge-member is constructed as an integral part of the watch-case or soldered or otherwise permanently secured thereto. In this embodiment of the invention a projection or ear 43 on the side of the watch-case 2 is formed with a bore for receiving the hinge-pin I I and provided with an integral bearing lug I'I projecting from its side. The talon or arm 20 is of the same hollow construction as before described with the hingepin I I engaged in the bearing loops 34 at the end of the arm.

The spring member shown in Figs. 8 and 9-is constituted by a pair of arcuate leaves 44 and 45 secured to the arm 20 in the manner as next explained. The outer wall 22 of the arm 20 is provided on its inner face with an envelope-like pocket 46 having an open end for receiving one end of the leaves 44 and 45 of the spring. The pocket 46 may be formed by first slitting the wall 22 laterally and offsetting the metal adjacent the slit. As a means for holding the end of the Spring seated in the pocket 46 the sides of the pocket are provided with ears or tabs 41 bent inwardly to engage in slots 48 in the sides 'of the spring-leaves 44 and 45, see Fig. 9. As a further means for anchoring the spring in place the leaves 44 and 45 are provided with laterally extending embossed ribs 49 adapted to snap into a lateral depression 50 in the pocket 46 when the leaves are slid thereinto. 7

As shown in Figs. 8 and 9 of the drawings, one leaf 44 of the spring is longer than the other leaf 45 to adapt its end to engage across the end of the fixed abutment I! on the hinge-member 43. When the bracelet is in place on the wrist the spring-leaves 44 and 45 are flexed to apply pressure to the arms 20 to hold them lightly against the wrist. In spreading the talons both springleaves 44 and 45 must be further flexed and thus a secure clasping of the bracelet on the wrist is effected and the danger of accidental release of the bracelet is eliminated. It will be understood that this latter form of construction of the invention is intended for use with watch-cases having bracelets applied thereto at the factory where the watches are made; whereas, with the first described form of the invention, the hinge-member may be applied by thejeweler or other tradesman selling the watch and bracelet as separate articles.

The attachable hinge-joint or bearing member may be made in different sizes for watches which vary considerably in their dimensions, but a single size may be adapted to fit many different sizes of watches by shortening the tubular connection or split sleeve on the bearing member as required. The device is therefore practically universal in its application to use, being capable of attachment to watches having either bails or lugs on their sides.

For gentlemans wrist-watches I have devised a somewhat different form of construction of the device as shown in Figs. 10 to 13, inclusive; with a modification thereof illustrated in Figs. 14 to 16, inclusive. In the form illustrated in Figs. 10 to 13, inclusive, the hinge-joint consists of a cylindrical sleeve or tubular member which is adapted to enclose the ordinary telescopic spring-pin 56 shown in detail in Fig. 13. Formed integral with'the' sleeve 55, or soldered or otherwise suitably secured thereto, is an abutment member 51 which is of arcuate shape in side view, terminating at one end in a flat or slightly rounded face 58 adapted tobear against the side of the Watch-case 60 when the sleeve. 55 is assembled on the spring-pin 56 with the pintle ends of the latter engaged in the holes in the lugs 6| on the watch-case 60. end 62 of the abutment 51 serves as a bearing for a leaf-spring 64, to be later described, which is carried by the talon or arm 65.

The talon or arm may be of any suitable construction, being herein shown as formed from sheet-metal with converging outer and inner walls 66 and 61 connected by tapering side walls 68. The outer wall 66 is slotted at 69 to form opposite strips 10 extending beyond the end of the inner wall and adapted to be bent or curled around to form cylindrical bearings adapted for pivotal connection with the ends of the tubular sleeve 55 of the hinge-joint.

The leaf-spring 64, previously referred to, may be constructed of substantially fiat spring-metal of tapering outline with its larger end bent back to underlie the inner side of the outer wall 66 of the talon 65 to which it is secured by suitable means such as a rivet 'II shown in Fig. 12. The opposite narrower end of the spring 64 is bent or curled around to form a hook I2 adapted to engage around the edge 62 of the abutment member 51 when the arm 65 is swung back into the position illustrated in Fig. 12. As shown in Fig. 13 the inner wall 61 of the arm 65 is cut away or slotted at 63 to allow the spring 64 to pass therethrough. Preferably, the abutment member 51 is hollowed out on its inner side, as indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 11 and shown in section in Fig. 12, this form of construction tending to save metal and reduce the weight of the part, besides providing a narrowed edge for the hook I2 to engage around.

The hinge-element or bearing member is assembled with the talon or arm 65 by placing the ends of its tubular sleeve 55 across the strips 10 at the end of the outer wall of the arm 65 and bending the strips therearound in the manner as indicated by dash lines in Fig. 13. When the parts are joined in this manner the abutment or lug 51 on the sleeve 55 fits within the end of the slot 69 of the arm 65 with the arm free to pivot on the ends of the sleeve.

The hinge unit may be readily connected to the side of the watch-case 6|] by removing the usual spring-pin 56 from the lugs 6| to insert it through the bore of the sleeve 55; whereafter the telescopic ends of the spring-pin 56 are inserted into the holes in the lugs 6| in the manner illustrated in Figs. 10 to 12, inclusive. With the parts connected in this manner one end 58 of the abutment or lug 51 bears against the side of the watch-case 60 to hold it from rocking on the pin 56 and the spring 64 is thereby caused to bear resiliently against the opposite end 62 of the abutment in such manner as to tend to swing the talon or arm 65 into the position shown in Fig. 11. Movement of the arm 65 in the opposite direction is limited by the hook 12 on the end of the spring engaging the edge of the abutment 51.

When the two opposite arms are mounted on the watch-case in the manner at last explained their springs 64 tend to swing them toward each other to clasp about the wrist.

In a further modified form of construction of the device as illustrated in Figs. 14 to 16, in-

The opposite rounded i spring-pin 56. The ends of the outer wa1l'66 of the arm or talon 65 are curled around to enclose the ends of the spring-pin 56, as shown in Figs. 14 and 15, and the abutment member 11' is located between the two bearings of the arm with one end 58 engaging against the side of the watch and the other end acting as a rest for the end of the spring 64. Fig. '16 illustrates the manner in which the inner side of the abutment 11 is hollowed out to save stock.

The type of device last described is assembled on the side of the watch-case 60 by removing the spring-pin 56 from the lugs BI and inserting it through the bearings 10 formed by the curled ends of the arm or talon while the abutment member 11 is held between the bearings with its bore alined therewith. The spring-pin 56 is then applied to the watch-case by engaging its telescopic ends in the holes of the lugs 6| in the usual manner. When assembled on the watch in the manner as above explained the two arms 65 are controlled by their springs 64 to swing them toward each other to clasp about the wrist.

While the device is herein illustrated and described as embodied in several preferred forms of construction, it is to be understood that other changes may be made in the structure and arrangement of its parts without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Therefore, without limiting myself in this respect, I claim:

1. In combination with a watch-case having a bail on its side, a bearing member having means engaging around the bail to attach it to the case, an arm pivoted tothe bearing member, and a leaf-spring acting between the bearing member and the arm to swing the latter on its pivot.

2. In combination with a watch-case having a bail on its side, a bearing member having a portion adapted to engage around the bail and provided with means for preventing it from turning thereon, an arm hinged to the bearing member, and a leaf-spring having one end supported by the bearing member and its opposite end engaging the arm to maintain the spring under tension to swing the arm on its hin e.

8. In an attachment for wrist-watches having bails on their sides, the combination of a bearing member having a portion adapted to embrace a bail on the side of the watch and provided with a hinge, an arm hinged to said bearing member, and a leaf-spring carried by the arm and havin one end extending from the arm and engaging a portion of the bearing member, said spring acting between the bearing member and arm to apply resilient pressure to the latter to swing it on its hinge.

4. In an attachment for a wristv-watch having a bail or the like on its side, the combination of a bearing member having a portion adapted to engage around the bail to secure it thereto and provided with a hinge-Joint, an arm hinged to the joint on the bearing member, and a bowshaped leaf spring secured to the arm with its end engaging a portion of the bearing member, said spring acting between the bearing member and arm to swing the latter on its hinge.

5. In combination, a watch-case having a hearing member on its side provided with an abutment projecting therefrom, an arm shaped to enclose a portion of the wrist, a pivot pin in the bearing member connecting said arm with the bearing member to hinge the arm to the watchcase, and a substantially fiat leaf-spring having one end connected to the arm at a distance from its pivot and its opposite end engaging the abutment on the bearing member to flex the spring to cause it to swing the arm on its pivot.

6. In combination, a watch-case having a bearing member on its side formed with a hole therein and an abutment projecting radially from the axis of the' hole, an arm shaped to enclose a portion of the Wrist, a pin projecting through the hole in the bearing member and the end of the arm to pivotally connect the arm to the watchcase, and a substantially flat leaf-spring having one end connected to the arm at a distance from its pivot and its opposite end engaging the abutment on the bearing member to flex the spring to cause it to swing the arm on its pivot.

KENNETH H. BAKER. 

